A new month is coming and.....

(Image courtesy of c.dryicons.com)

We woke up to a new blanket of snow today, and it looks so peaceful and undisturbed this morning.  However, as we all get moving and get going, that serene scene will be disturbed....as it should be.  Why am I writing to you about snow?  Because when it snows, most folks just want to stay in (unless you are heading to the ski slopes).  Staying in, means you have everything in order to function in your house....without going outside.  You can just enjoy the weather, your family, and all that you have been blessed with.

This entire year, we have been focusing on a target item each week with rare exception.  If you have attempted to do this, today you should have plenty of food storage and other supplies stored in your home.  You should also have a sense of peace and the knowledge that you have followed the counsel that "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear".

So, even though it is a new month, here is the focus.....enjoy.  Focus on your family and the holy Christmas season.  If there were items that you missed, consider getting them.  We are finished gathering weekly items for 2010.  Congratulations.....enjoy the peace and comfort of your efforts and the blessings of the Lord to you and yours.

In our family, we have a tradition to say "Christmas Gift" and try hard to be the first to say it. It's a long story, but a fun one.  So, in honor of this tradition........I say "Christmas Gift" to you.  I hope you enjoy the Christmas Gift you have given to yourself and your family by your efforts to prepare during 2010.

Christmas Gift!

What shall we give..

It is my hope that you and your family took the opportunity to list and express gratitude for the many bounties we all are blessed within in so many ways.  Beginning the Holiday season in a spirit of gratitude is a humble and spiritual beginning.

Now, decide what you can give....not really in a material way, but in a way that gives truly from yourself.

In the Spirit of Gratitude...

It's a test....of YOUR Emergency System

(Image courtesy of wrh.noaa.gov)

This is a test...but not only a test.  This is a real emergency in the making. Here in Utah, a tremendous storm is predicted to hit us around 3:00 this afternoon.  The recommendations are:

• Try to be home before the storm hits (I'll have to see what the big boss says.....)
• Know where you emergency supplies are.  This applies not only to your car (food, water, blankets, cellphone charger, etc), but to your home.  Do you know where your flashlights and batteries are?  How are you going to cook and stay warm in the event that you loose power?  How are you going to keep the kids entertained with....gasp....electricity?

So, if you find you are without needed items.....make like Betty and Wilma and 'charge' off to the store.  Don't wait.  Let's hope everyone has made a plan and peacefully knows that they are ready.

This is not only a test....IT'S THE REAL THING!

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids..........

Such an iconic image from Norman Rockwell.  It shows bounty, family, and laughter.  All things to be grateful for.

To help make the holiday more 'fun', here are some links that you may want to check out.  They are mostly for children....so Mom...and Grandma....see what will work for you!

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Printables, Coloring Pages, and Crafts

Games, Puzzles, Templates...

More Crafts...


So, let's get started!

It's a new week, and the focus item is Cooking Oil

(Image courtesy of agoosa.com)

It's the week of Thanksgiving....and many of us are planning and preparing for the big day this Thursday.  One of the main ingredients that many of us will need is cooking oil.  Coincidentally, it is also the focus item for this week....so that makes it very easy.

There may be some confusion about what types of oils are used for various types of cooking.  The following information is from an article entitled Cooking Oils 101.  Hopefully you will learn about new types of oils you hadn't previously considered trying, and also what they are best suited for:

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable Oil is probably the most commonly used of all the oils. It can be found frequently for use in recipes and can also be used for frying. Vegetable oil is actually a blend of several oils, such as corn, soybean, palm and sunflower.

Canola Oil

Canola oil has been said to be one of the most healthy of the cooking oils because of its low saturated fat content and high mono unsaturated fat. It is commonly used in frying, but only with medium frying temperatures, about 450 degrees F.

Corn Oil

Corn oil is relatively low on both saturated and mono unsaturated fats. It is popular in margarine and used in both frying and baking. It should only be used when frying on medium temperatures.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil is low in saturated fat and high in Vitamin E. Many food manufacturers are recognizing the health benefits of sunflower oil and are using it as the preferred oil in such snack foods as potato chips. It can be used in the home to fry, cook, and for use in salad dressings.

Olive Oil

There are different varieties of olive oil: extra virgin, virgin, extra light, and refined. Extra virgin olive oil is the most common of those used. There are many uses for all varieties, such as stir-frying, cooking, sauteing and as an ingredient in recipes.Olive Oil is also frequently used in salad oils. It is the most healthy of all the oils as it is high in mono unsaturated fat which has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Many people use it daily in their meals, drizzling it over a wide variety of foods.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is a great oil to use when frying in high temperatures. It is a common oil during the Thanksgiving holiday as many people are using turkey fryers to fry their turkeys, but can be used anytime when frying.

Thanksgiving....in everyday

Lion House Pie Crust....mmmmmmm

I recall one Thanksgiving (in college) that I was really trying to make pie crust from scratch.  I became so frustrated that I picked up the dough and threw it at the wall.  Hopefully I have matured a bit since then!

Would you like to learn from a master (and please know that isn't me)?  How about the Head Baker at Lion House?  Well, here she is...

Rancid Shortening

It's amazing what you can find on the internet......I was amazed that there was a video on rancid Shortening.  This lady appears to have been trying to live off her Food Storage for 30 days and is sharing what she has learned about storing Shortening.

Now that you have watched the video, you may be asking about the Shelf-Life of Shortening.  Here is information from the Crisco site:

It's week #3 in November...and the focus item is Shortening

(Image courtesy of cookies-in-motion.com)

Hi everyone.  We have a new product to focus on this week.  It is one of these needed items for several things you may be preparing for Thanksgiving as well.  This week, we are focusing on Shortening and Shortening Powder.

If you want more information on Shortening Powder, please see a previous post here. Please be sure to read the comments from some veterans who use this product.

In general this is a working definition:  Shortening, in its most generic meaning, is any fat or oil that is used to make a short crust or dough (one that has a high ratio of fat to flour, and turns out tender, crumbly, and rich).

It can come in cans or sticks.  It can be a traditional product, or butter flavored.  I have both in my storage.  For more information on these items, please see the Crisco site.

There is one other type of Shortening I would like to introduce you to. 

(Image courtesy of heavenlyhomemakers.com)

This is Palm Shortening.  One of the first thoughts about Palm oils is a possible heath issue based on media reports over the years.  Here is a quote from Tropicaltraditions.com

In its natural state, palm oil is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with most of the unsaturated fat being monounsaturated fat. Palm shortening is palm oil that has some of its unsaturated fats removed, giving it a very firm texture, and high melting point. The melting point of our Organic Palm Shortening is 97 degrees F., making it very shelf stable. It is NOT hydrogenised, and contains NO trans fats! It is great for deep-fat frying and baking, and is not prone to rancidity

I also have this in my storage.  Cookies are not hard...which I love.  It can be substituted into any recipe calling for Shortening.  I really the fact that it is shelf stable.  Traditional Shortening comes in cans made of cardboard that are foil lined.  Rodents can easily eat through this type of container.  However, this comes in a bucket, keeping it 'safer' and it does not easily go rancid...which is a huge plus for Long Term Storage.  Locally, you can purchase this from Alpine Food Storage.

No matter what you choose, stock up today!

Water Storage.....

(Image courtesy of utahpreppers.com)

This subject alone is both simple and complex.  So, I am going to share some of my favorite Water Storage containers....and one that I am coveting....(Santa...are you listening?).

(Image courtesy of Preparednesspro.com)

The good ole standby are 55 gallon drums.  However, this is a great twist on how to store them.  A benefit to these is that they are not opaque and discourage the growth of bacteria and algae.  The Downside is that they are not transportable  If you needed to leave in a hurry...these would have to stay behind. 

(Image courtesy of thereadystore.com)

This is another option for your.  These 'cubes' stack, are opaque and are transportable.  I have several that hold 5 gallons each.  If you ever go on a Pioneer Trek...this is the water container to take!  You can freeze one or more ahead of time so that you can have cool water...for a while.

(image courtesy of h2osystem.com)

These are nice for your refrigerator, but they are transparent and could encourage the growth of slimy things you would not want to drink in an emergency if you stored water in them for extended periods of time.  They must be kept in a dark cool environment.

(image courtesy of cityofyukonok.gov)

There is a place for bottled-water.  It is portable, is great for 72 hour kits, and for quick access in a short-term emergency.  The water in commercially prepared bottles is reportedly 'good' for 2 years.  However, the container is clear, so they will need to be stored in a cool, dark place.

(image courtesy of thereadystore.com)

This is what the LRH is coveting...(oh Santa....where are you?).  Why, because it has all the features that are great for storing water.  It is not opaque, it has 2 'spigots'.  One high enough to put a bucket under and one at ground level to allow you to get all the water out of it.  It holds 275 gallons of water and takes the same floor space as an upright 55 gallon drum.  It can fit through a doorway (Santa....we have a perfect spot in the basement...right next to a floor drain). The 'challenge' areas from my standpoint are that it is not transportable in an emergency..but for staying in place it is great!  Also, depending on your point of view, the cost may be a bit challenging....(Santa..save up will ya?). The cost, depending upon where you live and shop is between $375.00 and $429.00.

(Image courgesy of howstufworks.com)

You certainly can store water in 'PETE" bottles that are made specifically for foods.  Think of all those empty 2-liter bottles you may be discarding.  Clean them out, treat the water, and store for up to 6 months.

So, these are some of my favorite 'Water Storage' things.  Hopefully a little elf will clue in Santa sometime.....what do you think the chances are?

Veteran's Day tribute..

I enjoyed seeing all the tributes to our Veterans on my Facebook page.  We have a Veteran in our home....who worked very late, came home and ate dinner with his wife, and then retired to his room.  Only a few months ago, his life was very different....and he experienced the loss of his comrades in arms.  He goes about his day quietly, and we rarely hear him talk about how different life was when he was defending the freedom we enjoy while eating dust in Afghanistan.

I saw this recently, and loved the sentiment.  If you haven't thanked a Veteran lately......get busy and do so today.

Aprons! Aprons! Aprons!

On November 9th, it is our wonderful Aprons, Aprons, Aprons! activity.

The patterns are on the front porch of the LRH's home, so please come and check them out ahead of time.

If you come with your fabric cut out, you should be able to finish one Apron before you leave on Tuesday!

(Don't you hate to start and project and take it home unfinished?)

Here are the different Aprons that you can choose from:

Dottie Apron

Ann Apron

Basic Chef Apron

Charolotte Apron

(It's reversible!)

(Here is the back view of the Charlotte Apron...pretty nice huh?)

We have wonderful Mentors who will be there to help you.  You will learn the following skills:

• Straight Stitch seams
• Top Stitching
• Curved Seams (for Ann Apron)
• Sewing and Turning a Corner
• Applique (if you wish)

Be there at 6:30 p.m. with your fabric cut out along with your Ribbon and Thread. 

(The Relief Society will provide White thread only). 

LETS HAVE A LOT OF FUN!!!! 

It's week #2 of November, and the Focus item are....Water, Juices, and Drink Mixes

Last week's focus items of Vitamins and Minerals was really a no-brainer.  Easy to find.....already packed for storage..yea!  The other little thought I would submit that you consider is Sprouting to get Vitamins and Minerals.  It is one of the best reasons to Sprout.

This week, we have several focus items, which include drink mixes.  Initially when I thought about including this item into the 'line up', I thought it might just be a 'perk'.  However, when I look at what we have on a regular basis at the LRH's home, there is quite an abundance.

We use all of these often.  They come from various sources such as Grocery stores, Food Storage providers, and Health Food Stores.  Now, go see how many you have...you may be surprised!

So, stock up!

What is the Shelf Life of Vitamins and Supplements?

(Image courtesy of topnews.ae)

One of the most frequent questions that comes to mind for me when storing anything is "What is the Shelf life of this product?"

The following information comes from jigsawhealth and answers several questions.  I will be including snippets directly from this site.

Expiration dates are extremely conservative. All vitamins start to break down the day they are manufactured. Vitamins deteriorate at different rates, so manufacturers will beef up the strength of some vitamins that tend to deteriorate faster, in order to hit the listed strength at the time of expiration.

Keep vitamins in their original containers. Some vitamins come in dark glass bottles or opaque containers. They are packaged this way to minimize vitamin breakdown due to light.

Keep vitamins away from humidity and heat. Commonly, there’s a tendency to store vitamins in either the bathroom or the kitchen for easy access. These are actually not ideal locations because these rooms have higher humidity and heat levels than other rooms in the house. A bedroom drawer or linen closet would be a better location to preserve vitamin strength.

Beyond the Expiration Date  Stored properly, vitamins can last four or five years, although the conservative recommendation is that they can easily last two years. Taking vitamins beyond their expiration date is generally safe. The only difference is that you may lose potency over time, so taking extremely old vitamins may not give you the desired results that you’re trying to achieve. But in case you have doubts, some vitamins have been known to last 10 years or longer without losing their label strength.

Great News from the Lindon Home Storage Center!

I received this notice yesterday.  Let's celebrate by actually going there and stocking up!

HURRAY!!! RAH!! RAH!! RAH!! YAHOO!!!!

The HOME STORAGE CENTER will be opening again on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on a walk-in basis beginning Tuesday, November 9th! Phone lines will open that day as well. Please call 801-785-0997 for further information.

For product information and pricing, please go to http://www.providentliving.org/ select the Family Home Storage tab on the left hand side of the screen, then choose the Home Storage Center Order Form link on the right hand side of the screen. The order form is interactive and can be filled out and printed off to bring with you to the Home Storage Center.

Be patient with the missionaries. They are learning new cash registers and procedures to make this service available to you.

We are so blessed!!

Vote Today!, Vote Today!, Vote Today!

Today is a momentous day as we have the sacred privilege to vote.  Please do not let any barrier or challenge keep you from the polls. I have family members who have placed their lives on the line for our country to make this sacred opportunity available.

Here are the words of Ezra Taft Benson to consider.  They are timeless but very applicable to our situation today:

These are the principles that, in my opinion, proclaim the proper role of government in the domestic affairs of the nation.

[I] believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them. . . .

[I] believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. . . .

[I] believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments. [D&C 134:1­2, 5]

In other words, the most important single function of government is to secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens

By deriving its just powers from the governed, government becomes primarily a mechanism for defense against bodily harm, theft, and involuntary servitude. It cannot claim the power to redistribute money or property nor to force reluctant citizens to perform acts of charity against their will. Government is created by the people. No individual possesses the power to take another's wealth or to force others to do good, so no government has the right to do such things either. The creature cannot exceed the creator.

Will we be prepared? Will we be among those who will "bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction"? If we desire to be numbered among those who will, here are some things we must do:

1. We must be righteous and moral. We must live the gospel principles--all of them. We have no right to expect a higher degree of morality from those who represent us than what we ourselves are. To live a higher law means we will not seek to receive what we have not earned by our own labor. It means we will remember that government owes us nothing. It means we will keep the laws of the land. It means we will look to God as our Lawgiver and the source of our liberty.

2. We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts. Have we read the Constitution and pondered it? Are we aware of its principles? Could we defend it? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? The Church will not tell us how to do this, but we are admonished to do it. I quote Abraham Lincoln:

Let [the Constitution] be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in primers, spelling-books, and in almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation. [Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, ed. John G. Nicolay and John Hay, vol. 1 (New York: Francis D. Tandy Co., 1905), p.43]

3. We must become involved in civic affairs. As citizens of this republic, we cannot do our duty and be idle spectators. It is vital that we follow this counsel from the Lord: "Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil" (D&C 98:10). Note the qualities that the Lord demands in those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest. We must be concerted in our desires and efforts to see men and women represent us who possess all three of these qualities.

4. We must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, and our advice. We must be wisely informed and let others know how we feel. We must take part in local precinct meetings and select delegates who will truly represent our feelings. 

I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church--men and women who will subscribe to and abide by the principles of the Constitution.